Secrets In Your Eyes
Secrets In Your Eyes
Chapter 2
Chapter Wordcount: 2467
Ray wasn’t sure what had changed in the short time he had been in the bathroom, but it was obviously something important, judging by the amount of people that were swarmed around his desk. He could just barely see a flash of red through the throng of bodies, which didn’t surprise him at all, that Benny was in the middle of it all.
“Hey! Hey! Hey! What is going on here?! And why is it going on at my desk?!”
Gardino looked up at him, chewing on something and sent him an annoying wink before sauntering off.
Huey’s head popped up next. “Vecchio man, these cookies are a religious experience.”
It was at that moment that the crowd started to skitter away, all clutching their hands to their chests like rats running away with their spoils and Ray’s eyes went wide as he spotted Tayla sitting in his chair with a shit-eating grin on her face.
“Hi Ray.”
“Are those…” he whispered. “Are those what I think they are?”
“I dunno,” she blinked, so clearly not as innocent as she was playing. “How am I supposed to know what you’re thinking?”
Fraser bit back a smile, eyes jumping back and forth between the two.
“Don’t screw with me Tay,” Ray said, holding up his finger, any threat he was going for lost by the fact that he sounded desperate.
He looked down into the Tupperware container that was sitting on his desk and whimpered when he saw nothing but crumbs left.
“Oh come on! Vultures! All of you!” he shouted, glaring at every single person in the bullpen, including Welsh through his office window, where he was cheerfully dunking a cookie into his coffee.
“This isn’t right Tay, this just isn’t right. Come on, tell me you’re joking.”
Fraser’s head was cocked, watching Ray, unsure if he should be concerned or amused at how upset his partner appeared.
Ray glanced at him, looking for support but was distracted by the lost Mountie look he had.
“She makes these cookies,” he started, waving his hands around. “These freaking amazing cookies. These freaking addictive cookies,” he growled, “And she won’t freaking tell anyone what is in them,” he complained, glaring at Tayla.
“Oh! Maybe you can figure it out! With your super Mountie sense! Here, lick the container!” he said, grabbing the plastic tub and shoving it towards Fraser’s face, who leaned back slightly and politely pushed it back towards the desk causing Ray’s face to fall.
“It is certainly possible I might be able to decipher some of the ingredients…” he started. Only to stop in his tracks when Tayla arched her eyebrow at him.
“But if it is indeed her secret recipe, I would be honor bound not to reveal its details,” he hastened to add. Tayla just grinned.
Ray glared at him before looking back to Tayla.
“Come on Tay, I haven’t had those cookies in years. Decades even!”
Tayla smirked, hooking the heel of her boot into the metal handle of the file drawer on the side of his desk and pulled it out slowly, revealing another container of said magical cookies.
“Keep it quiet,” she grinned.
Ray dove for the container, popping the top and grabbing one in each hand, biting into one savagely.
“Oh…oh my god…” he moaned, closing his eyes and taking another bite. “Oh yeah Benny…”
Fraser’s eyes went comically wide.
“Oh yeah, that’s it…
Fraser cleared his throat, tugging at the collar of his serge and glanced around the room, grateful none of the other detectives seemed to be paying attention to Ray’s outburst.
“You gotta try these Fraser,” he said, shoving one towards him as he grabbed another for himself.
Fraser took a bite, although not as enthusiastically as Ray, and let the flavors rest on his tongue.
He hummed, took another bite.
“I agree Ray, these cookies are quite delicious. I think I detect…” he trailed off. Paused. Leaned into Tayla’s ear and whispered something.
She grinned and nodded, leaned back to whisper something else into his ear.
He smiled to himself and stood back up straight, nodding, “That is very clever.”
Ray was still munching away, but glaring back and forth between the two of them.
“I hate you both.”
Tayla laughed and stood up from his desk. “I gotta get back to the shop. Try not to eat them all in one go,” she grinned, leaning in to kiss Ray’s cheek even as he growled at her. She turned to give Fraser the same treatment, which he accepted with a slight blush. He had slowly become accustomed to her hugs and displays of affection during their work at the auto shop.
She leaned over to ruffle Dief’s fur where he was eating his own cookie on the floor before heading for the exit. Turning back to see Ray diving in for another cookie right before she made it through the door, she looked up and shared a smile with Fraser, who nodded his goodbye.
“You’re not gonna tell me are you?” Ray grumbled, taking his seat now that she had vacated it.
Fraser’s spine snapped straight.
“I gave her my word Ray.”
Ray just groaned.
“See this eye roll? It has your name on it.”
***
Fraser had to admit, he was rather relieved when his phone rang.
He paused from the form he had been filling out and picked up the receiver.
“Canadian Consulate, Constable Fraser.”
“Yo bro.”
Tayla looked up from where she was cleaning her nails with her pocket knife and gave Ray a look.
“Don’t ever say that again.”
Ray eloquently replied by sticking out his tongue.
“Ray?”
“Tay’s gonna pick up food. You still headed this way for lunch?”
“Yes Ray. I apologize for running late. Inspector Thatcher assigned me a rather copious amount of paperwork this morning. I’ve been working through it as quickly as possible, and to be perfectly honest, I enlisted Constable Turnbull’s assistance on a portion…”
“That’s the spirit. Share the pain.”
“Well I do feel somewhat guilty. Although he seems to rather enjoy the…”
“Benny. I don’t care.”
“Understood.”
“What do you want to eat?”
“Whatever you wish Ray. I have no preference.”
Tayla was still watching Ray.
“He’s not gonna tell you is he?”
Ray shook his head and Tayla nodded, getting up to head towards the door.
“Hey!” he squawked, pulling the phone away from his mouth. “Aren’t you gonna ask what I want?!”
“Nope,” she grinned, twirling her car keys around her finger.
“Bitch!”
“Jerk!” she called back as she disappeared down the hallway.
“Ray!” Fraser yelped in shock from the other end of the line. “Manners! She is a lady!”
Ray groaned and thumped his head onto his desk. What did he ever do in his life to deserve friends like these?
***
Fraser was leaning against the railing, inhaling the cool air that was rolling off Lake Michigan. Diefenbaker had wandered off, no doubt on the hunt for any discarded food.
“I thought I recognized that hat.”
He looked to the side to see Tayla approaching him, hands in the pockets of her coat.
“Good evening Tayla,” he smiled, accepting a hug from her. “How are you?”
“Eh,” she shrugged, turning her face into the wind to blow her hair out of her eyes. “Been going through a bunch of paperwork at the shop. Found a stash from back when my mom was still doing the books, I hadn’t seen that handwriting in years,” she sighed. “I got sick of being inside and staring at numbers.”
Fraser nodded and smiled, “Much too nice a night to spend indoors.”
“Indeed,” she grinned. “Florida was hardly wilderness, I’m sure nothing like you’re used to. But at least the ranch was out away from the city. I miss the fields. Used to park my car out behind the barn and eat dinner while looking at the stars,” she reminisced, looking up at the sky, not near as impressive, clouded with Chicago’s light. “You prolly think I’m crazy,” she grinned, looking sideways at him. “Calling Florida the country.”
He smirked and shook his head. “I’ve never visited Florida so I can’t judge. I can certainly sympathize though. I’ve lived here a couple years now and I still can’t say I have grown accustomed to the noise and constant commotion. The stars might be different in Canada, more perhaps, but I miss them the same,” he said, looking up at the sky before sharing a smile with her.
“You feel like getting some ice cream?” she grinned.
That is, of course, the moment Diefenbaker reappeared and barked his agreement.
“I don’t believe she was asking you,” Fraser chided.
Dief grumbled.
“Well yes, I would assume you were invited as well.”
Tayla playfully tugged on Dief’s ear.
“Come on gobble gut.”
He licked her fingers and trotted off in the direction of the nearest ice cream vendor, tail held high.
Fraser shook his head. “Incorrigible.”
Tayla laughed and looped her arm through his, following the white swish of a tail further ahead.
***
After their ice cream, which Dief failed to get a second helping of, despite his grumbling, they walked her home.
Tayla had always been pretty headstrong, refused to ever play the helpless girl card. She had a weapon’s permit when she was in Florida, she had yet to apply for Illinois’ version since she’d been back, but she never left the house without at least her pocket knife.
But she was also quite aware of Benton’s chivalry and never protested when he held doors or pulled out chairs or offered to walk her home. Besides, it’s not like she minded the company.
He stopped at the base of the small set of stairs that led up to her front porch. She stood on the first step, putting her a little more eye level with him.
“Thanks,” she said quietly, pulling him into a hug and kissing his cheek softly. “I had fun.”
Fraser endured, even if he felt the flush creep up his neck. Not that her attention was unwelcome or even unexpected. She always gave him, and Ray as well, hugs on a regular basis. He was just still somewhat unaccustomed to someone giving their affection so freely.
“I did as well.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love Ray,” she grinned, taking the last couple steps onto her porch, “But it’s nice to hang out with someone else for a change,” she winked.
He smirked and ducked his head, hiding his eyes under his hat brim for a moment.
“Agreed,” he smiled.
“Night Dief,” Tayla bent over and kissed the top of his head.
“Night Benton,” she said softly, unlocking her front door.
“Goodnight,” he replied, dipping his head as she let herself inside.
Diefenbaker trotted down the steps and whuffed at Fraser as he passed him, continuing down the sidewalk.
“I beg your pardon?” Fraser’s voice cracked.
Dief fell in beside him and grumbled, shaking his head.
“No, I don’t believe she shows favoritism. But in case you have failed to notice, she and I are actually the same species. Perhaps that’s skewing your judgement.”
He huffed under his breath and Fraser stopped in his tracks.
“You can’t be serious.”
Dief paused a few paces ahead of him and turned and fixed him with a look.
“She is quite affectionate with Ray as well might I remind you. And you’re deaf so I don’t believe you could infer anything from her tone of voice.”
“Besides,” he continued, resuming walking and catching up to the rather aggravating wolf, “Whether or not I enjoy the… contact, is not the subject. I hardly see you turning down her affections.”
Diefenbaker growled and picked up his pace, creating distance between himself and Fraser.
“You are so hypocritical,” Fraser huffed.
***
Turned out Tayla loved Saint Patrick’s Day and was more than happy to be home, in Chicago, for it this year.
She insisted Fraser and Ray go with her to the parade, even going early so they could watch the annual dyeing of the river into bright green.
Ray griped about it, getting up early on a Saturday morning just to see a parade. But Fraser had seen him smile more than once already and the actual parade had yet to start. Not that there wasn’t plenty of other festivities and people and vendors and performers filling the streets as it was.
Tayla had streaks of green bobby pinned through her hair when they met up with her and was clearly enjoying the atmosphere.
“I fear Ray and I aren’t quite as festive as we ought to be,” Fraser said, plucking at his sweater.
Tayla smiled, “If it’s green it counts,” she replied, referring to color he wore, which was more forest than Irish.
Fraser nodded and walked with her to where Ray had bought them all, even Dief, some soft pretzels. Which weren’t Irish at all, but the closest food cart he could get to through the crowds.
“Don’t fill up,” Tayla warned, more to Diefenbaker than anyone else really, “The guys at the shop already have the grill going,” she grinned, referring to the get together they were having at her garage after the parade.
They found themselves a spot to camp out on the parade route, before the crowds completely descended and blocked everything.
Tayla hopped up onto a handrail to sit on and Fraser moved in beside her quickly.
“We can find somewhere much more comfortable to sit if you would rather not stand,” he offered, hovering beside her.
She glanced at him sideways and smirked, realizing he was worried about her falling.
“Relax,” she grinned, “I’ve spent a lot of years balancing on fences,” she said, referring to her career with horses. She wiggled her leg to show him where she had one foot hooked into the second rail beneath her, “I’ve got a lot of practice.”
He nodded, “Understood, just… please be cautious.” He moved to stand a little closer to her, carefully placing his arm around the side of her where he could grab her instantly if she were to lose balance.
She smiled a little softer and hooked her other foot around the back of his knee. He simply shifted to accommodate her grip, glad she was humoring him, however unfounded his concern might be. They stayed like that through the length of the parade.
Diefenbaker returned, no doubt from begging for handouts, towards the end of the procession and huffed when he saw the way they were positioned. Fraser shot him a look and mouthed hush at him, embarrassed that the wolf would make any kind of comment about the situation, which was clearly just for safety purposes.
Dief huffed again and turned his back to him.
Previous: Chapter One | Next: Chapter Three
Chapter 2
Chapter Wordcount: 2467
Ray wasn’t sure what had changed in the short time he had been in the bathroom, but it was obviously something important, judging by the amount of people that were swarmed around his desk. He could just barely see a flash of red through the throng of bodies, which didn’t surprise him at all, that Benny was in the middle of it all.
“Hey! Hey! Hey! What is going on here?! And why is it going on at my desk?!”
Gardino looked up at him, chewing on something and sent him an annoying wink before sauntering off.
Huey’s head popped up next. “Vecchio man, these cookies are a religious experience.”
It was at that moment that the crowd started to skitter away, all clutching their hands to their chests like rats running away with their spoils and Ray’s eyes went wide as he spotted Tayla sitting in his chair with a shit-eating grin on her face.
“Hi Ray.”
“Are those…” he whispered. “Are those what I think they are?”
“I dunno,” she blinked, so clearly not as innocent as she was playing. “How am I supposed to know what you’re thinking?”
Fraser bit back a smile, eyes jumping back and forth between the two.
“Don’t screw with me Tay,” Ray said, holding up his finger, any threat he was going for lost by the fact that he sounded desperate.
He looked down into the Tupperware container that was sitting on his desk and whimpered when he saw nothing but crumbs left.
“Oh come on! Vultures! All of you!” he shouted, glaring at every single person in the bullpen, including Welsh through his office window, where he was cheerfully dunking a cookie into his coffee.
“This isn’t right Tay, this just isn’t right. Come on, tell me you’re joking.”
Fraser’s head was cocked, watching Ray, unsure if he should be concerned or amused at how upset his partner appeared.
Ray glanced at him, looking for support but was distracted by the lost Mountie look he had.
“She makes these cookies,” he started, waving his hands around. “These freaking amazing cookies. These freaking addictive cookies,” he growled, “And she won’t freaking tell anyone what is in them,” he complained, glaring at Tayla.
“Oh! Maybe you can figure it out! With your super Mountie sense! Here, lick the container!” he said, grabbing the plastic tub and shoving it towards Fraser’s face, who leaned back slightly and politely pushed it back towards the desk causing Ray’s face to fall.
“It is certainly possible I might be able to decipher some of the ingredients…” he started. Only to stop in his tracks when Tayla arched her eyebrow at him.
“But if it is indeed her secret recipe, I would be honor bound not to reveal its details,” he hastened to add. Tayla just grinned.
Ray glared at him before looking back to Tayla.
“Come on Tay, I haven’t had those cookies in years. Decades even!”
Tayla smirked, hooking the heel of her boot into the metal handle of the file drawer on the side of his desk and pulled it out slowly, revealing another container of said magical cookies.
“Keep it quiet,” she grinned.
Ray dove for the container, popping the top and grabbing one in each hand, biting into one savagely.
“Oh…oh my god…” he moaned, closing his eyes and taking another bite. “Oh yeah Benny…”
Fraser’s eyes went comically wide.
“Oh yeah, that’s it…
Fraser cleared his throat, tugging at the collar of his serge and glanced around the room, grateful none of the other detectives seemed to be paying attention to Ray’s outburst.
“You gotta try these Fraser,” he said, shoving one towards him as he grabbed another for himself.
Fraser took a bite, although not as enthusiastically as Ray, and let the flavors rest on his tongue.
He hummed, took another bite.
“I agree Ray, these cookies are quite delicious. I think I detect…” he trailed off. Paused. Leaned into Tayla’s ear and whispered something.
She grinned and nodded, leaned back to whisper something else into his ear.
He smiled to himself and stood back up straight, nodding, “That is very clever.”
Ray was still munching away, but glaring back and forth between the two of them.
“I hate you both.”
Tayla laughed and stood up from his desk. “I gotta get back to the shop. Try not to eat them all in one go,” she grinned, leaning in to kiss Ray’s cheek even as he growled at her. She turned to give Fraser the same treatment, which he accepted with a slight blush. He had slowly become accustomed to her hugs and displays of affection during their work at the auto shop.
She leaned over to ruffle Dief’s fur where he was eating his own cookie on the floor before heading for the exit. Turning back to see Ray diving in for another cookie right before she made it through the door, she looked up and shared a smile with Fraser, who nodded his goodbye.
“You’re not gonna tell me are you?” Ray grumbled, taking his seat now that she had vacated it.
Fraser’s spine snapped straight.
“I gave her my word Ray.”
Ray just groaned.
“See this eye roll? It has your name on it.”
***
Fraser had to admit, he was rather relieved when his phone rang.
He paused from the form he had been filling out and picked up the receiver.
“Canadian Consulate, Constable Fraser.”
“Yo bro.”
Tayla looked up from where she was cleaning her nails with her pocket knife and gave Ray a look.
“Don’t ever say that again.”
Ray eloquently replied by sticking out his tongue.
“Ray?”
“Tay’s gonna pick up food. You still headed this way for lunch?”
“Yes Ray. I apologize for running late. Inspector Thatcher assigned me a rather copious amount of paperwork this morning. I’ve been working through it as quickly as possible, and to be perfectly honest, I enlisted Constable Turnbull’s assistance on a portion…”
“That’s the spirit. Share the pain.”
“Well I do feel somewhat guilty. Although he seems to rather enjoy the…”
“Benny. I don’t care.”
“Understood.”
“What do you want to eat?”
“Whatever you wish Ray. I have no preference.”
Tayla was still watching Ray.
“He’s not gonna tell you is he?”
Ray shook his head and Tayla nodded, getting up to head towards the door.
“Hey!” he squawked, pulling the phone away from his mouth. “Aren’t you gonna ask what I want?!”
“Nope,” she grinned, twirling her car keys around her finger.
“Bitch!”
“Jerk!” she called back as she disappeared down the hallway.
“Ray!” Fraser yelped in shock from the other end of the line. “Manners! She is a lady!”
Ray groaned and thumped his head onto his desk. What did he ever do in his life to deserve friends like these?
***
Fraser was leaning against the railing, inhaling the cool air that was rolling off Lake Michigan. Diefenbaker had wandered off, no doubt on the hunt for any discarded food.
“I thought I recognized that hat.”
He looked to the side to see Tayla approaching him, hands in the pockets of her coat.
“Good evening Tayla,” he smiled, accepting a hug from her. “How are you?”
“Eh,” she shrugged, turning her face into the wind to blow her hair out of her eyes. “Been going through a bunch of paperwork at the shop. Found a stash from back when my mom was still doing the books, I hadn’t seen that handwriting in years,” she sighed. “I got sick of being inside and staring at numbers.”
Fraser nodded and smiled, “Much too nice a night to spend indoors.”
“Indeed,” she grinned. “Florida was hardly wilderness, I’m sure nothing like you’re used to. But at least the ranch was out away from the city. I miss the fields. Used to park my car out behind the barn and eat dinner while looking at the stars,” she reminisced, looking up at the sky, not near as impressive, clouded with Chicago’s light. “You prolly think I’m crazy,” she grinned, looking sideways at him. “Calling Florida the country.”
He smirked and shook his head. “I’ve never visited Florida so I can’t judge. I can certainly sympathize though. I’ve lived here a couple years now and I still can’t say I have grown accustomed to the noise and constant commotion. The stars might be different in Canada, more perhaps, but I miss them the same,” he said, looking up at the sky before sharing a smile with her.
“You feel like getting some ice cream?” she grinned.
That is, of course, the moment Diefenbaker reappeared and barked his agreement.
“I don’t believe she was asking you,” Fraser chided.
Dief grumbled.
“Well yes, I would assume you were invited as well.”
Tayla playfully tugged on Dief’s ear.
“Come on gobble gut.”
He licked her fingers and trotted off in the direction of the nearest ice cream vendor, tail held high.
Fraser shook his head. “Incorrigible.”
Tayla laughed and looped her arm through his, following the white swish of a tail further ahead.
***
After their ice cream, which Dief failed to get a second helping of, despite his grumbling, they walked her home.
Tayla had always been pretty headstrong, refused to ever play the helpless girl card. She had a weapon’s permit when she was in Florida, she had yet to apply for Illinois’ version since she’d been back, but she never left the house without at least her pocket knife.
But she was also quite aware of Benton’s chivalry and never protested when he held doors or pulled out chairs or offered to walk her home. Besides, it’s not like she minded the company.
He stopped at the base of the small set of stairs that led up to her front porch. She stood on the first step, putting her a little more eye level with him.
“Thanks,” she said quietly, pulling him into a hug and kissing his cheek softly. “I had fun.”
Fraser endured, even if he felt the flush creep up his neck. Not that her attention was unwelcome or even unexpected. She always gave him, and Ray as well, hugs on a regular basis. He was just still somewhat unaccustomed to someone giving their affection so freely.
“I did as well.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love Ray,” she grinned, taking the last couple steps onto her porch, “But it’s nice to hang out with someone else for a change,” she winked.
He smirked and ducked his head, hiding his eyes under his hat brim for a moment.
“Agreed,” he smiled.
“Night Dief,” Tayla bent over and kissed the top of his head.
“Night Benton,” she said softly, unlocking her front door.
“Goodnight,” he replied, dipping his head as she let herself inside.
Diefenbaker trotted down the steps and whuffed at Fraser as he passed him, continuing down the sidewalk.
“I beg your pardon?” Fraser’s voice cracked.
Dief fell in beside him and grumbled, shaking his head.
“No, I don’t believe she shows favoritism. But in case you have failed to notice, she and I are actually the same species. Perhaps that’s skewing your judgement.”
He huffed under his breath and Fraser stopped in his tracks.
“You can’t be serious.”
Dief paused a few paces ahead of him and turned and fixed him with a look.
“She is quite affectionate with Ray as well might I remind you. And you’re deaf so I don’t believe you could infer anything from her tone of voice.”
“Besides,” he continued, resuming walking and catching up to the rather aggravating wolf, “Whether or not I enjoy the… contact, is not the subject. I hardly see you turning down her affections.”
Diefenbaker growled and picked up his pace, creating distance between himself and Fraser.
“You are so hypocritical,” Fraser huffed.
***
Turned out Tayla loved Saint Patrick’s Day and was more than happy to be home, in Chicago, for it this year.
She insisted Fraser and Ray go with her to the parade, even going early so they could watch the annual dyeing of the river into bright green.
Ray griped about it, getting up early on a Saturday morning just to see a parade. But Fraser had seen him smile more than once already and the actual parade had yet to start. Not that there wasn’t plenty of other festivities and people and vendors and performers filling the streets as it was.
Tayla had streaks of green bobby pinned through her hair when they met up with her and was clearly enjoying the atmosphere.
“I fear Ray and I aren’t quite as festive as we ought to be,” Fraser said, plucking at his sweater.
Tayla smiled, “If it’s green it counts,” she replied, referring to color he wore, which was more forest than Irish.
Fraser nodded and walked with her to where Ray had bought them all, even Dief, some soft pretzels. Which weren’t Irish at all, but the closest food cart he could get to through the crowds.
“Don’t fill up,” Tayla warned, more to Diefenbaker than anyone else really, “The guys at the shop already have the grill going,” she grinned, referring to the get together they were having at her garage after the parade.
They found themselves a spot to camp out on the parade route, before the crowds completely descended and blocked everything.
Tayla hopped up onto a handrail to sit on and Fraser moved in beside her quickly.
“We can find somewhere much more comfortable to sit if you would rather not stand,” he offered, hovering beside her.
She glanced at him sideways and smirked, realizing he was worried about her falling.
“Relax,” she grinned, “I’ve spent a lot of years balancing on fences,” she said, referring to her career with horses. She wiggled her leg to show him where she had one foot hooked into the second rail beneath her, “I’ve got a lot of practice.”
He nodded, “Understood, just… please be cautious.” He moved to stand a little closer to her, carefully placing his arm around the side of her where he could grab her instantly if she were to lose balance.
She smiled a little softer and hooked her other foot around the back of his knee. He simply shifted to accommodate her grip, glad she was humoring him, however unfounded his concern might be. They stayed like that through the length of the parade.
Diefenbaker returned, no doubt from begging for handouts, towards the end of the procession and huffed when he saw the way they were positioned. Fraser shot him a look and mouthed hush at him, embarrassed that the wolf would make any kind of comment about the situation, which was clearly just for safety purposes.
Dief huffed again and turned his back to him.
Previous: Chapter One | Next: Chapter Three